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Wortham World of Primates
Located in the heart of the Zoo, Wortham World of Primates offers up close viewing of some of the world’s most fascinating and intelligent creatures. Nestled in a naturalistic setting, the winding boardwalk and arboreal tree house allow visitors to observe the behavior of a wide variety of threatened and endangered primates. Included in the animal collection are lemurs, cotton top, pied and golden lion tamarins, howler monkeys, red capped mangabeys, guenons, mandrills, patas monkeys, siamangs, and Sumatran and Bornean orangutans.
The Primate section is a diverse one, exhibiting monkeys and apes from continents around the world. Several mixed species exhibits illustrate the concept of an ecosystem and provide additional enrichment for the animals. Swamp monkeys and red-tailed guenons live compatibly together in a large and complex exhibit, while three species of lemur, endangered turtles and waterfowl live in harmony in another. There are even some non-primate surprises: babirusa pigs can be found lounging in their mud wallow or taking a swim in their pool in the summertime..
From the exotic and rare Cocquerel's sifaka to the critically endangered orangutans, many primate species are part of a Species Survival Plan and have been breeding successfully for years. And, we even have some adopted babies: Cheyenne, our 38 year old orangutan, has raised three surrogate youngsters over the years when they were unable to be cared for by their birth mothers. Our siamang pair has raised a female infant to adolescence and we hope for another addition soon.
From the exotic and rare Cocquerel's sifaka to the critically endangered orangutans, many primate species are part of a Species Survival Plan and have been breeding successfully for years. And, we even have some adopted babies: Cheyenne, our 38 year old orangutan, has raised three surrogate youngsters over the years when they were unable to be cared for by their birth mothers. Our siamang pair has raised a female infant to adolescence and we hope for another addition soon.
The Wortham World of Primates is home to many of the world's most endangered species, exhibited in lush tropical settings. Come and visit!
Here's a short video of a recent addition to the primates at the Zoo: a baby sifaka.
